Inglewood Unified School District Honors Hispanic Heritage Month
through Student Art and Literacy, Themed: La Musica es Arte
The Inglewood Unified School District pulled out all stops to provide the community with an exceptionally well planned and vibrant celebration of culture and creativity on the occasion of Hispanic Heritage Month! On September 23, 2023, the Inglewood Unified School District, in partnership with the City of Inglewood’s Hispanic Heritage Festival, hosted the annual Hispanic Heritage Art Exhibition and Literacy Village, themed “La Musica es Arte.” The Miracle Theater in downtown Inglewood and an adjacent gallery was well appointed with IUSD student’s artwork celebrating Hispanic art, music and culture with live entertainment for adults and wokshops for students, providing. an unforgettable day of art, music, and family fun.
Dr. Dawnyell Goolsby, IUSD, Executive Director of State and Federal Programs was on hand to greet visitors to their elaborate pavilion of student art work. She indicated that the district was proud to display the broad array of artwork created by Inglewood students to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month. “The artwork displays the incredible talents of our students in our art exhibit,” she said. And, she invited guests and visitors to discover the district’s family literacy programs and indulge in a day filled with storytelling, live music, food, face painting, and so much more.
Dr. James Morris, IUSD, County Administrator, captured the essence of the day’s events by saying that the event was about celebrating Inglewood’s diverse community and an opportunity to bring the community together. He also said that the district is moving along nicely towards their quest to end the control that the state originally prevailed over the IUSD. He explained that in order for more rapid progress to be realized, local control and oversight was needed, so the State Administrator passed the control over to him as the County Admministrator. He said that of the 155 standards the district needed to achieve before control could be returned to the local school board members, 119 had already been met.
Also present to welcome the parents, students and Inglewood residents to the IUSD Hispanic Heritage Festival were Brandon Myers, IUSD Board President, Dr. Carliss McGhee, IUSD Board Vice President, Dr. Bernadette Lucas, IUSD Chief Academic Officer, Ernesto Castillo, IUSD Board Member and Jessica Ochoa, IUSD Executive Director of Communications and Community Relations.
Other elements of the free street festival, sponsored by the City of Inglewood, featured live performances by Mariachis, Ballet Folklorico Macias, Dreaming of You, Sonora Dinamita and Clave Dura. Radio personality Caro Marquez served as Mistress of Ceremonies and other activities included a classic car show, information and vendor booths, health screenings, children’s activities, and more. In addition, a broad range of food vendors were present including La Carnceria El Artista, Baja Tacos Fish Chef, Tamale Fiesta, LA Cheesesteaks, Pupusa Ritas and Love Ice to name a few.
